Water source and its handling, knowledge and preventive practices of water borne diseases among different communities in Manipur

Abstract

Background: Most of the ill health affecting humanity especially in developing countries can be traced to lack of safe and wholesome water supply. This study was conducted to assess the various sources of water, to estimate the knowledge and preventive practices of water borne diseases and to determine association of preventive practices with some socio-demographic variables. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among residents aged ≥18 years of Kshetrigao, New Checkon and Mantripukhri of Imphal East District. A pretested, semi structured interview schedule was used. Descriptive and analytical statistics like Chi square test were generated taking a p<0.05 as level of significance. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: Out of 446 participants, majority buy water for drinking (343, 76.9%) and domestic (244, 54.7%) purposes. Most of the participants (377, 84.5%) knew that water quality can affect health. Almost all participants (439, 98.4%) used soap and water for handwashing. Residents of Mantripukhri perform significantly higher safe preventive practices. Conclusions: Buying was main source of water for both drinking and domestic purposes across all the communities. Increased public health activity like awareness campaigns regarding water borne diseases and its prevention needs to be organised.